Nintendo's bringing its iconic characters to Universal Studios theme parks all over the world

Nintendo is fiercely protective of its properties. Super Mario,
Donkey Kong, and Link are characters you'll find almost
exclusively in products made by Nintendo.

Nintendo

That's why it's such a big deal that Nintendo is partnering
with Universal Studios to create Nintendo-themed game worlds in
several Universal Studios theme parks around the world.

The deal's been
in the works for some time, but the two companies issued an
update on Tuesday morning: Nintendo attractions will open at
Universal Studios Japan, Universal Orlando Resort and
Universal Studios Hollywood across the next several years. The
attractions "will be expansive, immersive and interactive,"
according to the release. "They’ll be highly themed and authentic
environments filled with multiple attractions, shops and
restaurants."

Sounds like the real-life version of the Wii U game
"NintendoLand!"

"NintendoLand" was a Wii U
game that featured many of Nintendo's most iconic characters in
minigames. It was structured around a theme park
setting.Nintendo

You can spy some teases of what the attractions might look like
in the background of a video released on Tuesday morning:

Nintendo creative director Shigeru Miyamoto speaks
about Nintendo's theme park attractions in a video released on
Tuesday, November 29, 2016.Nintendo/Universal

Here's another:

Miyamoto is sitting in front of a spinning gold coin
and a bouncey music block from the "Super Mario Bros."
franchise.Nintendo/Universal

Work on the attractions is "well underway," and they're promised
to have "something for everyone" (gamers and non-gamers alike).
In the video, it's clear that a "Super Mario Bros." area will be
a main attraction.

Power-up mushrooms and green turtle shells are clearly seen
in the background of several shots:

Universal

Universal's promising more specifics on the first park's
Nintendo-themed attraction sooner than later, so keep an eye out
for that in the coming weeks.

The full video — with a few more looks at the project alongside
breathless hype from Universal and Nintendo executives — is
right here, should you be so inclined: